PRAIRIE MEADOW MOUSE 87 



inches in diameter may be laid along the trails and the baits in- 

 serted with a spoon. Other baits, such as oatmeal and the seeds 

 of dandelions or sunflowers may be used in place of the wheat or 

 corn. 



In winter a good method of destroying meadow mice as well as 

 rabbits is to cut small twigs from apple trees, dip them in the 

 strychnin syrup, and distribute them about the trees to be pro- 

 tected. This plan is recommended for orchards and nurseries. 



Of course every precaution should be employed in the use of 

 these poisoned baits so that children, domestic animals, and birds 

 may not have access to them. 



Another poison which has proved efficient in the destruction of 

 meadow mice is barium carbonate, which is very cheap and both 

 odorless and tasteless. ''This poison is usually administered in 

 the form of a dough made of four-fifths flour or meal and one- 

 fifth barium carbonate. A little sugar is added to sweeten the mix- 

 ture and, if desired, a couple of drops of anise oil. The dough is 



cut into small lumps the size of a large pea for mice The 



poison may be fed also in moistened bread or oatmeal." (Lantz, 

 I. c. 58.) 



Although meadow mice are active during practically the entire 

 year, winter is the most favorable time for poisoning them since 

 the supply of green food is then very limited. The mice are active 

 on mild winter days, and are most likely to partake of the poisoned 

 baits in the evenings of such days. Do not put out the poison on 

 the surface of the snow for the mice usually work under it. 



Cooperation among farmers in the destruction of these pests is 

 the most successful way of meeting the problem. By giving atten- 

 tion to the preventive measures suggested, much can be done in the 

 way of food and grain conservation; and the results will amply 

 rei)ay those who have made the effort. 



PRAIRIE MEADOW MOUSE. PRAIRIE VOLE. 



Microtus ochrogaster ochrogastcr (Wagner). 



Hypudaeiis ochrogaster Wagner, Schrebeis Saugthiere, SuppL 

 III, 592, 1843. 



Description. — Color above mixed light and dark brown, giving a 

 grizzled appearance; sides of body paler; feet brown with five 

 calloused tubercles on soles ; tail dark brown above, pale below, and 

 less than one-third the length of head and body; somewhat dusky 



